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Interesting video about the lunar rover, politics and Elon Musk

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Peter B:
I don't know anything about the channel, but I found this 20 minute video interesting:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=a9uDlsS5ASk

JayUtah:
I think Phil Edwards runs one of the better technology oriented channels on YouTube, even though he's not overtly scientific or technical. He does his homework, so the facts are generally quite trustworthy. But more than that, I like his choice of material and his approach. He has a knack for pursuing things that you would immediately find interesting even though you previously knew nothing about them.

Here I think his take on Elon Musk is a little naive. Musk's other activities in the marketplace, politics, and government (e.g., his labor policy) convince me he's not just a bright-eyed technologist following a purely opportunistic course through murky political waters. But at least Edwards is framing the question in a way that makes you think.

Peter B:

--- Quote from: JayUtah on October 29, 2024, 03:47:13 PM ---...I think his take on Elon Musk is a little naive. Musk's other activities in the marketplace, politics, and government (e.g., his labor policy) convince me he's not just a bright-eyed technologist following a purely opportunistic course through murky political waters. But at least Edwards is framing the question in a way that makes you think.

--- End quote ---

I agree. Some of Musk's companies have achieved amazing things, but I don't think it's because of any particular insights he, personally, has. Instead, success has come with him funding good people for long enough to allow them to develop good products and then iron out the products' kinks.

I remember someone on this forum about 10 or so years ago saying that the SpaceX engineers developing and launching the Falcon 1 made a couple of boneheaded mistakes that led to mission failures...but now the Falcon 9 is not only the most successful launch vehicle ever, it also routinely recovers and reuses its first stages and payload shrouds.

A couple of months ago I was reading a book about Musk dating from the early days of Falcon 9, and found in it a story about some engineering professor who was asked to write an article for some magazine or other about what had happened to his top students from the preceding decade or so. It turned out that more than half of them had gone to work at SpaceX.

Same thing with Tesla - I get the impression they're good cars, and they've helped start a revolution in electric cars which was arguably overdue.

But then I see a video like the one below, which features more posts from Musk than anyone else.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=DQ9bwkapYno

Particularly relevant Musk comments are at 5:45 (he thinks he's part of the "Resistance" and seems genuinely puzzled that people don't see that) and 15:35 (showing a man with a desperate desire to be seen to be involved in "the process" despite a lack of relevant technical knowledge, and potentially slowing everything as a consequence).

I know Musk has his fans. And he also has his critics. One of my concerns is that some fans are unwilling to acknowledge any shortcomings in Musk. Another of my concerns is that some critics are conflating Musk and his companies, and using their dislike of Musk to disparage the companies.

I don't think Musk is complicated. Everything about him is on display, because he can't help but constantly broadcast his inside voice. It's just that he has a particular combination of beliefs that not many people share, with the result that both his fans and critics can find statements by Musk that suits their agendas.

bknight:
The only aspect concerning Elon that I find appropriate is he is a capitalist.
Mission to Mars, not scientific but how much he is able to make out of the idea.
Mission to the Moon, see above.
Tesla is a "a transportation that reduces greenhouse gases produced by transportation", no build a transportation system that is funded in part by the federal government reducing cost to the consumer.
Don't get me wrong I support his space plans but don't agree with some of his testing methods.  I'm neutral when it comes to EVs. Outside a few states the vast amount of energy production is by consuming fossil fuels.  Where is the savings/reduction?

JayUtah:
I'll flatly say I turned down a job offer from SpaceX precisely because for my purposes the promise of truly exciting space technology didn't outweigh the specter of dealing with Musk. He's a figurehead. His companies have people in place to insulate their operations from Musk's interference. I've heard that working for him is a Faustian bargain. I continue to stand in awe of Musk's companies. But I think Musk himself is certifiable.

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